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Prashant Kishor to go on ‘padyatra’ in Bihar, won’t float political party for now

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Prominent political strategist Prashant Kishor on Thursday finally revealed his plan — a year to connect with the common people in Bihar before deciding to take any big political step.

Kishor, while interacting with the mediapersons here, said that he will start ‘padyatra’ from Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran from October 2 this year and cover 3,000 km across Bihar to communicate his ideology with the people of the state and take their feedback.

“The idea is to connect with the people of Bihar and understand what they are thinking about the current government and the governments in the past. In the last 30 years, two political parties with different ideologies and policies have ruled the states. Lalu Prasad led the RJD-rule for 15 years while the JD(U)-BJP combine government is ruling at the moment for the last 15 odd years. What kind of change the people of Bihar are expecting… I believe, by and large they failed to deliver good governance,” Kishor said.

As per the plan, he wants to communicate with 17,000 – 18,000, who are socially active and intellectuals in the state as their feedback was important for him. The idea is to include them or take support of these people for the movement in the next three to four months and then he will start ‘padyatra’ in Bihar.

Reacting on Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav’s comments, he said, “They are big leaders of the country. Hence, it is not necessary for them to take notice of a small person like me. Even those who are commenting on me after my tweet, they are wasting their own time. I am a very small person from the state,” Kishor said.

“Leaders like Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar emerged from the JP movement, but we have to think about whether the goal of that movement was achieved or not. In my opinion, it was not achieved, hence, we have to deeply analyse with my team for more than 1 year before deciding to go to the people of Bihar,” Kishor added.

“After that JP movement, there has been no such movement in Bihar. I am not saying that our initiative would turn out to be similar to that of the JP movement, but I must say that one movement is required here in Bihar. Who has done 3,000 km ‘padyatra’ earlier. If we want to change in Bihar, we have to change the thinking of the people at the mass level,” he said.

“In the last 10 years, I was involved in making strategies for different political parties. Now, I want to start a political journey from zero in Bihar. I will go before the people of Bihar and if results are positive then we will decide for the next move of — whether I would form a political party or not. At present, we are not going to form any political party,” he stated.

Reacting on his relationship with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Kishor said: “My relationship with Nitish Kumar is like father and a son, but that doesn’t mean son would not choose another path. I have chosen the path of struggle. Whenever I meet with Nitish Kumar, I meet him like he is my father and he has also given respect to me like a son.”

In 2020, I had difference of opinion on the issue of CAA and NRC. I objected to the policy of Nitish Kumar to vote in favour of the CAA and NRC. Still, JD(U) did that. Nitish Kumar, however, convinced me that CAA and NRC would not be implemented in Bihar but I told him that I would not stay in the party with compromising policies. Due to my objection, the party expelled me,” he said.

After eviction from the JD(U), I started the same movement in 2020 but it was stopped due to the Covid-19.

“Now, I am not saying that Covid is wiped out from the country, but the situation has improved now. Hence, I have decided to restart that initiative again from Champaran,” he said.

National

J&K CM Omar Abdullah makes passionate appeal for statehood restoration

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Jammu, June 6: During his welcome address to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Katra town on Friday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a passionate appeal for restoration of statehood.

During his welcome speech for the Prime Minister, CM Omar Abdullah said, “Jenab-e-Wallah (exalted sir), when you inaugurated the Katra railway station towards the end of my first term as the Chief Minister, Manoj Sinha ji was the Union Minister of State for Railways.

“He has been promoted as the Lieutenant-Governor while I have been demoted from the Chief Minister of a state to that of a Union Territory. I am confident that your goodself will soon address the issue and announce statehood to J&K”.

He also praised the Prime Minister for making the dream of a rail link to the Valley a reality.

“I was in class 8 and since then I have been hearing about a rail link to the Valley. The dream has been realised in your time sir.

“The start of the train service to the Valley will save us from the loot of the airlines companies who hike airfare to Jammu from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 whenever the Srinagar-Jammu highway gets blocked.

“I must also pay my gratitude to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who declared the rail link to the Valley a national priority project and made financial allocations for it,” CM Omar said.

On the stage with PM Modi, CM Omar’s body language was very cordial as the PM engaged him in some close to ear talk.

He was also in the forefront of all the official functions on Friday, including the inauguration of the Chenab Railway Bridge, the Anji cable stayed railway bridge, the flag-off ceremony of two Vande Bharat trains, one from Katra to Srinagar and the other from Srinagar to Katra.

CM Omar was among the dignitaries who welcomed the PM on the stage before the latter’s address to the public in Katra stadium.

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National News

Bakra Eid: UP Police on high alert, proactive measures in place to ensure communal harmony

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New Delhi, June 6: Ahead of Bakra Eid celebrations on Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh Police are on high alert, taking proactive steps to maintain communal harmony and ensure peaceful festivities across the state. Security arrangements have been tightened in districts like Meerut, Aligarh, Etawah, and Ghazipur with the deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) teams.

In Meerut, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada said: “Meerut police are on alert for Bakra Eid. A control room has been set up for real-time monitoring. Both the SSP and the District Magistrate will oversee the operations. Central Peace Committee have been held with members of all communities. PAC, civil police, and LIU teams have been deployed for security arrangements. Social media activity is being closely monitored, and strict action will be taken against those spreading misinformation. Prayers in public places, sacrifice of banned animals, and open-air sacrifices are prohibited.”

In Aligarh, similar measures are being enforced.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mayank Pathak said: “We are making stringent security arrangements for Bakra Eid. Additional forces, including two companies of RAF and PAC, are being deployed. Personnel from various police stations and Circle Officers (COs) will also be present on the ground. Surveillance is being conducted to monitor criminal or mischievous activities. Drone cameras will be used to monitor key areas. Intelligence and LIU are providing moment-to-moment updates. Those posting inflammatory or objectionable content on social media will face strict action.”

In Etawah, the police have finalised their strategy for smooth celebrations.

SSP Brijesh Kumar Srivastava said: “We have convened a Central Peace Committee meeting involving key stakeholders from both communities. The district has been divided into zones and sectors, with responsibilities assigned to police personnel and magistrates. All officials will remain on patrol to ensure the festival is celebrated peacefully.”

In Ghazipur, Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja said: “During the Central Peace Committee meeting, clear instructions were given: sacrifices must not be carried out in open spaces, and prayers should not be offered in public areas. The sacrifice of banned animals is strictly prohibited. Anyone violating these guidelines will face action as per government directives. Security arrangements have been completed across both urban and rural areas. Magistrates and police officers will be deployed from the morning prayers until late at night to ensure the safety of the celebrations.”

Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Eid Qurban, or Qurban Bayarami, is one of the most significant festivals in Islam. Observed in the month of Zul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, it commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

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National News

Rahul Gandhi meets family of ‘Mountain Man’ in Bihar

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Patna, June 6: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Dashrath Nagar village in Gaya district on Friday as part of his outreach efforts in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections.

During his visit, he met the family of the late Dashrath Manjhi, popularly known as the “Mountain Man” for single-handedly carving a path through a hill in Gehlor village to connect it with Wajirganj block in the district.

Rahul Gandhi was received warmly by Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Dashrath Manjhi, who welcomed him with traditional hospitality.

The Congress leader sat with the family, shared coconut water, and listened to their concerns, including their financial hardships.

According to sources, Bhagirath Manjhi also expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly election from the Bodh Gaya constituency, though no official announcement was made.

Following his meeting in Dashrath Nagar, Gandhi proceeded to Gehlor village, where he garlanded the statue of Dashrath Manjhi as a mark of respect.

He was accompanied by Bhagirath Manjhi and later departed for Rajgir to attend a scheduled programme.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi landed at Gaya Airport, where he was welcomed by Congress leaders and supporters.

This marks Rahul Gandhi’s sixth visit to Bihar in 2025, so far, signalling a renewed push to strengthen the Congress’ presence at the grassroots level in the run-up to the Assembly elections.

Rahul Gandhi’s recent engagements in the state reflect the Congress party’s strategy to reconnect with local icons, marginalised communities, and symbolic figures, in an attempt to regain political ground in the state

Following his visit to Gaya, Rahul is scheduled to travel to Rajgir in Nalanda district to attend a Samvidhan Sammelan and return to Gaya to attend a ‘Mahila Samvad’ (Women’s Dialogue) programme and visit Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, as part of his outreach to marginalised communities and women across the state.

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